Panthers Sign Diabate to Practice Squad
Carolina adds fourth-year linebacker Mohamoud Diabate to its practice squad after releasing Maema Njongmeta.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football
The Carolina Panthers signed linebacker Mohamoud Diabate to their practice squad, releasing linebacker Maema Njongmeta to make room. Diabate, a fourth-year defender, was released from the Tennessee Titans' practice squad on Thursday.
Why it matters
The move adds depth at linebacker for a team managing its roster after the cutdown period. Diabate brings NFL starting experience gained with the Cleveland Browns.
Diabate made 18 starts over 46 games for the Browns through the 2025 season, recording 127 combined tackles, eight for a loss, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Whether he will be promoted to the active roster has not been announced.
The players
Carolina Panthers
The National Football League franchise based in Charlotte, North Carolina, competes in the NFC South division.
Tennessee Titans
The National Football League franchise based in Nashville, Tennessee, previously held Diabate on its practice squad.
Cleveland Browns
The National Football League franchise based in Cleveland, Ohio, was Diabate's first NFL team after signing him as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
The details
Diabate entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 2023 after playing college football at Florida from 2018 to 2021 and at Utah in 2022. Tennessee waived him in its cutdown to a 53-man roster and re-signed him to its practice squad two days later before releasing him Thursday.
Timeline
Diabate's Browns statistics cover the 2025 season.
The Panthers announced the practice squad signing on November 2, 2026.
Roadmap
Practice squad signings like this one follow the NFL's standard system, which lets teams stockpile developmental and depth players outside the 53-man active roster. Diabate's movement between the Browns, Titans and Panthers reflects how veteran depth players circulate through practice squads during the season.
Practice squad players can be elevated to the active roster for games, so Diabate could see action if Carolina needs linebacker depth. Fantasy managers should note his limited role until any promotion is announced.
The takeaway
Practice squad moves can quickly change a team's depth chart, so watching for elevations gives a clearer picture of who will play. Diabate's experience as a starter gives Carolina a veteran option if injuries arise.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster moves, see Football coverage in Charlotte.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Panthers Wire.
